Mercy missions by Bradford charities in flood-ravaged Pakistan are being helped by the military.

The Pakistan army is now helping transport aid workers and supplies to hard-to-reach areas cut off by the waters.

Basic Human Rights, based in Sunbridge Road, and the QED project, that helps disadvantaged ethnic minority communities in the city, are both being assisted by military helicopters.

QED and former West Yorkshire media company Serendip have teamed up to send 700 food parcels to victims so far.

QED chief executive Dr Mohammed Ali is urging people to make donations so regular aid can continue to be despatched to the devastated north-western regions, including the Swat Valley. Soldiers are working to set up relief camps and deliver food supplies in a 51,000 square mile area hit by the country’s worst-ever floods.

The first batch of food parcels sent out by QED contains flour, oils, utensils and other essential items along with medical supplies.

Dr Ali, who founded the charity in 1990, said: “QED has been helping disadvantaged people in this country for 20 years, the majority of whom come from a Pakistani background.

“We would urge people to donate any amount of cash for humanitarian reasons. We do not like to see human suffering and the help needed there is very urgent.”

Meanwhile staff and volunteers for Basic Human Rights are doing their best to get aid out to the most desperate areas but more rain and an outbreak of cholera are making it treacherous.

But the army is providing a helicopter to help the charity’s distributors deliver 500 food sacks to the hard-hit Swat Valley which will feed around 3,500 people.

Chief executive officer Anjum Tahirkheli said: “It is important that we provide food to the people of Swat Valley. Some of them have not eaten for almost a week.

“But it is particularly difficult because of the severity of the water damage to the area. Water damage to bridges and roads has left people stranded.”

How you can help the Pakistan flood victims:

- Basic Human Rights is a registered Bradford charity sending money to buy food parcels, £25 buys a big parcel to last one family a fortnight. Go to basic.human.rights.org.uk.

- Bradford business training agency QED is raising donations to help with food, water and shelter. Donations payable to QED – The Pakistan Phoenix Fund should be sent to The Pakistan Phoenix Fund, QED, 243 Manningham Lane, Bradford BD8 7ER.

- Donations to The Human Relief Foundation, also based in Bradford, will buy a case of bottled water for £5, a hygiene kit for £15, a food parcel for £20, a five-person tent for £100 and a 48-hour medical camp for £1,000. Go to hrf.co.uk or call (01274) 392727.

- The Disasters Emergency Committee is an umbrella organisation for 13 humanitarian organisations able to give rapid response. Go to dec.org.uk or call the hotline on 0370 6060900.